Cook orders England players to 'stand their ground' until given out at Lord's Ashes Test

London, July 18 (ANI): England captain Alastair Cook has ordered his men not to walk until they are given out by the umpire following bowler Stuart Broad's controversial 'not walking' decision at Trent Bridge.

Even as England and Australia readies themselves to lock horns in the second Ashes Test starting at Lord's on Thursday, Cook gave his backing to Broad, who refused to walk during England's first Test win when his edged shot was caught at first slip, but went unnoticed by the umpire, the Mirror reports.

Stating that he expected his men to stand their ground until adverse circumstances, Cook insisted that there has been no specific team directive on the subject, adding that he was surprised by the controversy caused by the incident given that both sets of players do not seem to much concerned about it.

Cook further said that he thought that the Trent Bridge Test went favourable for their team as it was played tough and hard, adding that he would not expect anything less from his men, although the report added that Cook's stance reflected the opposing stances of professional and club cricketers, who have been taught to walk when they hit it.

The report further said that Cook's stance also reflected the long held view of his mentor Graham Gooch who had told his players not to walk against Australia when he was captain of England, adding that it will be very difficult to change the hard-nosed approach to the game.

However, the report said that Cook's position on the issue might inspire the Australians to all new heights even though it may increase the level of tension on both sides, given that the tourists have not been beaten for 75 years at the home of cricket until England won in 2009.

But the English skipper is confident that they can beat Australia this time at Lord's, saying that his side's record at Lord's has improved a lot over the last few years.

Meanwhile, the report said that Australia would take a gamble at every turn during the second Test in a bid to level the series, with captain Michael Clarke vowing to take the risks that may end up costing him the game in the chance that the rewards might include a Test match win.

Clarke is being backed wholeheartedly by new coach Darren Lehmann, who has galvanised the team through the force of his sheer personality since taking over, the report added. (ANI)

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